EU to impose measures against 'unacceptable' US metal tariffs

The European Union will announce retaliatory measures following US decision to impose steel and aluminium tariffs.

31 May 2018 15:24 GMT

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker promised retaliatory tariffs [Dimitar Dilkoff/Reuters]

The European Union (EU) will impose "counter-balancing measures" after the United States announced tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the Canada, Mexico and the EU, the European Commission chief said.

The tariffs, which take effect from midnight on Friday, will end a two-month exemption for the key US allies.

They include a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminium imports.

During a speech in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, promised to announce retaliatory sanctions later on Thursday.

"This is a bad day for world trade," he said. "We will immediately introduce a settlement dispute with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and will announce counterbalancing measures in the coming hours," he added.

"It is totally unacceptable that a country is imposing unilateral measures when it comes to world trade."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU response will be "intelligent, decisive and joint", adding that the tariffs are incompatible with WTO rules.

France's President Emmanuel Macron spoke forcefully against the tariffs, calling them "illegal" and a "mistake".

He said he will speak with US President Donald Trump on Thursday evening, warning that the move could close the door on other talks.

On Twitter, Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament said Europe had "no choice" but to defend itself.

"We will not accept this highly regrettable decision without reacting," he said.

Europe does not want a trade conflict. But if @realDonaldTrump decides to treat Europe as an enemy, we will have no choice but to defend European industry, jobs & interests. We will not accept this highly regrettable decision without reacting. #trade#tariffs 1/2